Trump turned tables on Pelosi with relief bill reboot, allies say
by David M. Drucker, Senior Political Correspondent |
| October 08, 2020 06:30 AM
Allies of President Trump are commending his decision to end talks with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over a coronavirus relief package, saying the surprise move halted passage of bloated legislation and allowed him to reset negotiations on more favorable terms.
Trump tweeted Tuesday that he had ordered Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to break off discussions with Pelosi over providing trillions of dollars in economic assistance for individuals and businesses suffering from the pandemic. In subsequent tweets, Trump said he backed standalone bills to rescue ailing domestic airlines, help teetering small businesses, and send $1,200 stimulus checks to the unemployed. The president’s supporters argued the unorthodox maneuver puts Democrats on their heels weeks before Election Day.
“The president never stops negotiating, and he basically told Pelosi that he’s no longer going to negotiate on her terms,†said Rick Manning, president of the pro-Trump conservative group, Americans for Limited Government. “His tweets are telling the public what Pelosi was walking away from: extended unemployment benefits for people who need it and support for small businesses being destroyed by the lockdown.â€
The tussle over another round of coronavirus relief comes less than one month before a contentious election. Trump trails Democratic nominee Joe Biden in most public opinion polls and has been forced to quarantine in the White House until he overcomes a bout with COVID-19, even as time to catch up runs out. The survey data also points to a possible Democratic takeover of the Senate and potential for House Democrats to increase their majority.
more
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/trump-turned-tables-on-pelosi-with-relief-bill-reboot-allies-say
